Nuggets officially acquire 6-foot-11 ex-Kings center as Nikola Jokic's backup

Entering nan 2025 offseason, acquiring a viable backup large man was a must for nan Denver Nuggets. 

Nikola Jokic is much than tin of doing it each astatine nan halfway position for nan 2023 NBA champions. Still, location was nary mobility nan three-time MVP would invited frontcourt thief during nan 2025-26 campaign. 

On July 1, nan Nuggets elected to waste and acquisition Dario Saric to nan Sacramento Kings for 6-foot-11 halfway Jonas Valanciunas. The waste and acquisition became official connected Sunday.

"Welcome to Denver, Jonas,” nan Nuggets wrote connected X/Twitter. 

However, nan Nuggets still look an unfortunate dilemma successful mid-July. Valanciunas has expressed liking successful heading overseas to subordinate Panathinaikos B.C., which competes successful nan EuroLeague and Greek Basket League. 

Although ESPN’s Shams Charania antecedently reported that nan Nuggets expect Valanciunas to grant his statement (he’s group to make $10.3 cardinal adjacent twelvemonth and $10 cardinal nan pursuing year), nan seasoned has yet to denote his committedness to nan Jokic-led Western Conference franchise. 

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Hypothetically, nan Nuggets could bargain Valanciunas retired if they person nary desire to support a miserable plus connected their roster, but really would that thief nan franchise? 

While nan erstwhile lottery prime is acold from stardom successful nan large leagues, he’s a reliable 33-year-old halfway pinch cleanable low-post footwork, coagulated pick-and-roll skills, and capable rebounding chops. 

Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds pinch nan Kings and Washington Wizards past season, shooting 55% from nan section successful 81 contests. 

The sooner Denver gets nan Valanciunas business resolved, nan better.

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